Danny Nutt Steps Down as Assistant Football Coach Due to Health Issues

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas running backs coach Danny Nutt has stepped down as an assistant coach on the Razorback football team due to ongoing personal health issues it was announced by his brother and UA head football coach Houston Nutt on Tuesday.

Danny Nutt is currently under treatment for a serious condition that includes bleeding from his brain stem. The condition first became critical in December of 1998 when Nutt was hospitalized for more than a month. He missed coaching in the 1999 Comp USA Florida Citrus Bowl while undergoing surgery and treatment. Danny missed spring practice in 2000 after a relapse, but returned to the sidelines for the fall campaign.

In recent months, Nutt suffered another recurrence of the brain stem bleeding. His condition will not allow him to coach this season and will likely prohibit him from returning to the football field as a coach in the future.

“Our first and only priority at this point is to see that Danny’s health is fully restored,” Houston Nutt said. “We will work with his wife Carla (Nutt) to make certain that he continues to receive the very best treatment available. He is in great hands with Dr. Gazi Yasargil and the professionals at the University of Arkansasfor Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock. Our family is grateful for all the thoughts and prayers of Razorback fans during this trying time.”

A former Arkansas quarterback who began his coaching career as a UA graduate assistant, Danny Nutt has assisted his oldest brother for 13 years since joining his staff at Murray State for the 1994 season and the Arkansas staff on Dec. 11, 1997. He recently completed his ninth season at Arkansas as the running backs coach. During his tenure, Arkansas running backs have posted five 1,000-yard rushing seasons including 1,647 yards from Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden and 1,168 yards from first-team All-SEC selection Felix Jones last season. In 2002, Arkansas’ running backs carried the ball a remarkable467 times for over 2,451 yardsin aspan of13 games without suffering a lost fumble.

“I know that no one is more disappointed than Danny that he won’t be on the field coaching,” Houston Nutt said. “His coaching and recruiting contributions have often been overshadowed because he shares the same last name as the head coach. There is no doubt that his group of running backs aren’t only the most talented position group in the country, but also some of the best young men playing college football. I know that as they take the field this year, they will be playing with extra purpose in honor of Danny.”

Houston Nutt announced that a search for the running backs position would begin immediately. Arkansas reports to camp on Thursday, Aug. 2 with the first practice set for Saturday, Aug. 4.